Shots here are of our standard resolution chart (version one or two). This chart allows us to measure the actual performance of the lens and sensor system. It measures the ability of the camera to resolve lines at gradually higher resolutions and enables us to provide a definitive value for comparison purposes. Values on the chart are 1/100th lines per picture height. So a value of 15 equates to 1500 lines per picture height. (Note that on version two of our chart the vertical resolution 1000 - 2000 lines have been horizontally flipped but are otherwise identical). For each camera the relevant prime lens was used. The chart is shot at a full range of apertures and the sharpest image selected.

Lines per Picture Height (to allow for different aspect ratios the measurement is the same for horizontal and vertical)

5° Diagonal

Lines set at 5° diagonal

Absolute res.

Point at which all lines of a resolution bar are still visible and defined, beyond this resolution loss of detail occurs (below Nyquist frequency).

Extinction res.

Detail beyond camera's definition (becomes aliased)

n/a

Not Available (above the capability of the test chart)

n/v

Not Visible (not visible on test results)

Like the EasyShare big zoom models before it, the P850 struggles to keep up with the best cameras in this class (and in fact has lower resolution than the DX7590), though to be fair there's not a great deal in it. The P850 results are fairly clean (free of moiré), though looking at them closely you can see that they are quite soft, and there is evidence of fairly harsh sharpening.